Those Christmas countdown clocks give me heart palpitations. They really do. It’s a ticking time bomb, reminding me of all the things I need, eh-hem, hope to get done before the big day. My husband often reminds me that Christmas is on the same day every year, so it really shouldn’t be a surprise. For whatever reason however, it always seems to creep up on me.
With Christmas decorations pouring into stores earlier and earlier, you’d think this would also nudge, and prompt me to get my act together. Typically our lives reach chaotic status this time of year, with a husband in retail, and my work seeing the mad rush to complete projects prior to the holidays. I love Christmas so much, but I find it hard to do all I would like to do, in the time that I have.
In 2020, with the world turned on its side, there was a slowness to life, and I found myself with extra time on my hands. As Christmas approached, we decided to go all out with decor. Live greens on bannisters, wreaths on windows, four trees, as well as garland and ornaments throughout. Our home was filled with the Christmas spirit, even if ours was dampened a little. It felt magical, and I have fond memories of that year and the feelings it brought us as we hunkered down together as a family, and relished in the season. Take a tour of our home all decked out for the holidays on pages 17-27.
Whether you have treasured Christmas traditions, or you embrace new trends each year, the season, and this issue of NFDI Style is no doubt full of inspiration. From table setting ideas (my favourite!) on page 7, how to bring the smell, flavour, and colour of oranges into the season on page 31, all the way to Christmas tree decorating 101 on page 39. This issue is full of projects and information to help guide you through the season, and perhaps bring a few new ideas to your holiday decorating.
It’s been a full year. As 2022 winds down, may your home bring you peace and joy as you celebrate the season with loved ones near and far. Wishing you rest and relaxation, hope and thanksgiving, even amongst the busyness of each day.
With joy and gratitude,
xo,
With The Spirit Of The Season Which Is PEACE The Gladness Of The Season Which Is HOPE And The Heart Of The Season Which Is LOVE
I expect dinner tables will be full this year in celebration of not only the holiday season, but the ability to travel, and gather together a little more freely. I love a good table setting, and the creative opportunities at Christmas time are endless. Fill your table with items you already have, or invest in a few new decorative details, either way, the goal is to have fun, and create a table with special touches to entertain your guests. Greens (real or faux), ornaments, and your existing repertoire of place settings is all you need to get started. Add in pillar candles, tea lights, fresh flowers, embracing all the layers. Don’t forget the linens… and let the dinner parties begin!!
Bring a playful scene to your dining table with bright colours and whimsical details such as wire brush trees, felt garland and colourful dishes.
Combine the boldness of black, and the warmth of natural materials for a classic table setting. Mix in live greens for a burst of colour, texture and scent!
Wooden beads, flocked magnolia leaves, brass and rustic accents bring the warmth and wonder of the season to your dining table decor.
No need to don your cocktail dress and high heels when you have an elevated dining table to set the mood, and create an elegant experience for your dinner guests.
In2019 we almost cancelled Christmas. We were knee deep in renovations with a main floor down to the plywood, living in a haphazard home, and no ideal place for a tree. We set up an artificial tree in our primary bedroom, and took an atypical approach with a white artificial tree, and minimal decorations. That’s what I could muster up in the season we were in, regardless of it being Christmas. The following year, with the world shut down, all my family could talk about was creating the best Christmas ever within our home. It was a 180 degree difference from the year before, and we embraced every inch of it. Never have I ever decorated my home as much as I did in 2020. It was a magical feeling.
We always set up a real tree in our living room. To my family this is “my” tree. I decorate it in my predetermined colour scheme of the year, which extends through to the other decor elements of the home. We have our tried and true decorations, but the fact of the matter is, our home looks a little different year after year.
When we renovated our home, I was so excited to have a mantle and fireplace surround so I could display stockings and garland at Christmastime. We used faux garland with mini lights, adding a soft layer of light as the sun went down. Stocking hangers add to the mantle display, along with two vintage candelabras passed down from my grandmother.
I have always loved the look of wreaths in windows and this was the year. I chose faux wreaths, also prelit, adding to the festive glow. We hung three between the living room windows, and 2 in the mullions of the dining room.
Carrying on with the wreath theme, I combined fresh greens and magnolia leaves, adding them to a large grapevine wreath, and hung it in our kitchen nook window. I brought a festive vibe to our banquette adding soft furry pillows to the mix, perfect for snuggling up with a cup of hot tea.
We spend so much time in our pantry, it couldn’t be overlooked. So, you guessed it, more wreaths. I wrapped faux wreaths with 3” wide grosgrain ribbon and hung them on each of our tall pantry doors.
Our dining room is the location for tree number two, an artificial flocked tree, full of our girls’ homemade creations, and cherished ornaments collected over the years. This tree is visible as soon as you walk in the door offering a festive greeting for all guests, and passersby through the front windows.
With a central staircase, I wanted this to be a focal point of festive flare. I wrapped the handrails with live greens, allowing them to cascade down the post, and drape along the floor for a dramatic feel. I attached pinecones, and small adornments to the live greens for added visual interest and dimension.
Our third tree was a mini live tree I purchased from a grocery store, and placed it in a terracotta planter as part of our front entry decor. I love the reflection of this through our vintage mirror (draped with a faux magnolia garland of course!), alongside the flocked tree, and live greens filling the staircase. So much Christmas all in one place!
I placed a glass vase in the bottom of the planter in order to keep the tree watered through the season.
We ended up enjoying the tree in our bedroom so much (tree #4!), we’ve been doing it ever since our renovation. We keep the decorations simple, and let the lights bring the spirit of Christmas up a level, literally.
Merry Christmas from our home to yours!
The debate over a real vs. artificial Christmas tree has some deep emotion attached to it. I grew up with a real tree at my grandparents house. The branches were sparse, mismatched decorations a plenty, and the lights multicoloured. When I got married we had an artificial tree, full of colour coordinated ornaments, and warm white lights. Now we have at least one of each. We’ve decorated many of our clients’ homes for Christmas over the years, and real trees seem to be the overall favourite.
There is a lot to love about a live tree, yet an artificial tree certainly begs a convenience factor. Regardless of what side you’re on, or if you’re somewhere in neutral territory (like me), there are pros and cons to either option, and we’re bringing you all the details.
• the smell
• a natural look and feel
• better for the environment
• the experience of choosing it
• you don’t have to ‘fluff’ it
• variety of height and size
• no need for storage
• supporting local
• set up closer to Christmas Day is best
• needs to be fed and watered
• will shed needles
• requires a base to keep tree stable, and hold water
• unable to manipulate branches to hold heavier ornaments
• you have to string your own lights
TYPES: Balsam Fir, Lodgepole Pine, White Spruce
• set up anytime
• trees are often pre-lit
• offers the ability to manipulate branches for heavier ornaments
• useful for more than one year
• low maintenance
• base included
• one time investment for years of enjoyment
• looks artificial
• no fragrance
• wears down over the years
• fluffing required
• investment required for as real of a looking tree as possible
• storage space required
• not ideal for the environment when it’s time to purchase a new on
TYPES: Flocked, Evergreen, Colour
If you’ve ever received an orange at the bottom of your stocking, there’s a good reason. Oranges symbolise the spirit of generosity of St. Nicholas, and represents a gift of gold. Citrus fruits also signify joy, happiness and hope. What better reason to bring oranges into your holiday decor?!
Getting crafty around the holidays builds memories and brings creativity to your days. Working with your hands is a therapeutic way to unwind, so set aside a little time for yourself, some girlfriends or your kids, and get creative!
You can bring these ideas to life with any citrus fruits; lemons, oranges (both blood and navel), grapefruit and even limes. They’re a wonderful addition to holiday gifting and decor, table settings and even baking.
Low and slow are the key words when drying fruit. Too fast, and you’ll lose the visual appeal, too hot and you’ll burn the fruit.
Start the process early in the day to allow yourself enough time. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees fahrenheit. Cut oranges thin, roughly 1/8” thick and place on a paper towel. Once you’ve cut the desired number, place another piece of paper towel over top and gently press down to absorb the moisture out of the oranges. Do this until most of the juice has been removed. (This process may require a few pieces of paper towel)
Arrange the orange slices on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet, and place them in the oven. Bake for 4-6 hours until the edges and centres are slightly brown and the oranges are dry. Flip the oranges occasionally for an even bake.
Once done, allow to cool completely before using.
NOTE: the oranges may still feel a little soft when removed from the oven however once cool, they should be crisp and dry.
Creating festive garland with orange slices is as easy as 1-2-3.
1. Cut a length of twine or ribbon to your desired length (depending on where you plan to hang it).
2. Feed orange slices through the centre hole.
3. Space according to desired look, and hang!
I love adorning my gifts with ribbons and tags. Taking it a step further with dried oranges adds an unexpected hint of colour and texture to an already special gift. Drying the oranges will naturally result in a hole at the centre, the perfect spot to feed the ribbon through to adorn your gift.
• Dried oranges (navel and/or blood)
Dried apples
Cinnamon sticks
Whole star anise
Whole nutmeg
Whole cloves
Essential oil of your choice
*Mix together 8 drops of the essential oil mixture for every one cup of dried plant material and toss to coat. Use a plastic zip-loc bag to blend the scent evenly.
TIPS: • Place in a bowl, and style on a coffee table, bookshelf or powder room vanity. • Stir often to allow the scent to continue to release.
Decorating a Christmas tree is not an exact science, however there are some helpful hints and guidelines in order to achieve a well dressed tree. If putting up a tree feels like a daunting task, you feel overwhelmed with how many decorations you may need, or how many lights are best, we’re here to help! It’s ok to veer off and break the rules, but these basic tips will have your tree looking well groomed, and stylish for the season.
• If you have a faux tree, start by fluffing all the branches. They’ll need it after being in a box for the last 11 months.
• If you’ve purchased a live tree, you’ll need to get it into water, as well as let it rest, and come to room temperature before starting to put the lights on.
• All set? Be sure to place the tree topper! It’ll be much easier to secure in place before the tree is full of decorations.
• Have all your tree ornaments ready for ease of decorating. Have a loose plan of attack in order to streamline the process, but don’t forget to try new things, and explore your creativity.
You may need more or less lights than what’s recommended depending on the proportions of your tree. For example, a 7’ narrow tree will take less lights and decorations than a 7’ wide tree.
• Is your tree pre-lit? Great! You’re all set to start decorating.
• If your tree is not pre-lit, you’ll want to string the lights before hanging decorations.
• Make sure you have the right ladder to get the job done! You’ll need to reach all the right angles so ensure you can stand comfortably.
• Have you picked a colour theme yet? Does this work best with white lights, or with colour? There are so many options nowadays, from LED vs. incandescent to solid & colour changing, the possibilities are endless!
• Be sure to evenly distribute the lights throughout your tree. If you can, try to hide the chords in and amongst the branches for a more discrete aesthetic.
• Similar to your lights, you’ll want to make sure your garland is proportionately cascading down your tree.
• Garland is a great filler if you have gaps between the branch rows, especially with a real tree, depending on the type. Drape the garland down to fill any empty spots.
• Have fun with texture! Whether wooden beads, pom-poms, something feathery or even a string of leaves, fruit or popcorn, garland is an opportunity to add an extra layer of
Start out by selecting a colour scheme that suits your desired aesthetic. Aim for an odd number of each style of ornament, and be sure to select a variety of
Start big! Distribute larger ornaments throughout your tree, this way you’ll be able to come back and fill in any gaps with any smaller pieces. Don’t forget about the depth of the tree. If you have an “open” style tree, you’ll want to bring visual impact to the inner areas, and not simply the end of the branches. Save the unique ornaments for last. Whether a baby’s first Christmas, a special collection, or something found on your travels, ornaments hold stories, and ones definitely worth including in your tree. Use these items to fill in any remaining spaces so they have front and centre views!
One of my new favourite Christmas tree decorating items is tinsel! It’s totally old school, but I love the way it sparkles and adds an extra dimension, and vintage vibe to my tree. I add it on at the very end, carefully placing a few strands at a time on the tips of the branches. Think of it as the “cherry on top”!!
• 50 g milk chocolate
• 120 g butter softened
• 120 g golden caster sugar
• 1½ teaspoon orange extract (I used an orange liqueur such as triple sec instead)
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten
• 100 g self-raising flour
• 25 g cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 – 2 tablespoon milk
• 100 g dark chocolate
• 200 g butter softened
• 300 g icing sugar
• milk
• 1 – 1½ teaspoon orange extract (I used triple sec again!)
• 1-2 Oranges
See page 32 for instructions on drying oranges.
1. Increase the oven temperature to 190°C (170°C fan)/375°F/gas mark 5. Place the muffin cups into the muffin tray. Break the milk chocolate into small pieces and place into a heatproof glass bowl. Create a water bath by positioning the bowl over a pan of water, ensuring the water doesn’t touch the base of the pan. Allow the chocolate to melt, stirring occasionally with a spatula. Remove the bowl from the pan when it has almost finished melting (the residual heat will allow it to melt completely). Set aside allowing it to cool slightly.
2. Beat the butter and sugar until very pale and fluffy. Add the orange extract/ liqueur, and beat again to combine. Gradually add the beaten eggs a little at a time, beating the mixture well after each addition.
3. Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder into the mixture. Gently fold the mixtures together using a spatula or large metal spoon. Add the milk and combine – you’re aiming for a nice dropping consistency. Stir in the melted milk chocolate until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
4. Fill the muffin cups half to two-thirds full. Place the muffin tray in the centre of the oven and bake for 20 – 23 minutes. Rotate the tray after 15 minutes of baking if needed. Remove from the oven and transfer to a rack to cool.
1. Break the dark chocolate into small pieces and melt in the same way you melted the milk chocolate.
2. Beat the butter until it’s soft and creamy (it should look light and fluffy). Sift half of the icing sugar into the butter. Use a wooden spoon to combine the two ingredients. Sift the remaining icing sugar into the bowl and mix until combined. Beat well. Add milk a teaspoon at a time, and beat to create a creamy frosting. Add 1 tsp of orange extract/ liqueur and mix to combine. Add the melted chocolate and beat until combined. Add more orange extract/ liqueur as required, and to taste. Mix to combine. The mixture should be firm but able to easily move through an icing tip.
Spoon the chocolate buttercream into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. It’s easier to pipe if it’s only half full (re-fill the bag when required). Pipe a generous swirl of the buttercream frosting over the cupcake. Position a slice of orange into the frosting. Top with sprinkles (optional).
TIP: Place the piping bag in a glass, and fold the bag over the sides. This will help keep the bag in place while you fill it. Remove from the glass and twist the bag to remove any air bubbles that may have formed, pushing the icing to the tip. Now you’re ready to get creative!
To you, our readers, both new and old, for your unwaivering support. We adore sharing each issue with you, and having you as part of our creative journey.
See you in 2023!
Wishing you the best of the season and a Happy New Year!
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